Violet''s expression faltered for a split second. McNeil called Winding Peak Lane "another ce," but she''d always assumed he already thought of her house as home.
She kept her thoughts to herself, though. She figured maybe McNeil just couldn''t handle Gwh on his own; if she offered to help, maybe he''d finally agree. But to her surprise, he still turned her down.
Violet had also wondered if McNeil might let Victoriae back. After all, Gwh had spent the entire night searching for Victoria, and even if it was exhausting, Violet couldn''t ignore it.
But on second thought, that seemed unlikely. She''d seen Victoria at the town square the day before, together with Marcus. The way she looked at Max-could Victoria really be thinking about choosing Marcus?
"Well, if you need anything, just let me know," Violet said, her tone effortlessly warm. "You know how much I care about Gwyn. Without her here, I just feel off. I can''t stop worrying and hoping she''s alright."
"I know."
McNeil''s response was curt, and he hung up almost immediately. Violet was left staring at her phone, unsure what to think.
Upstairs, Victoria had already fallen asleep, curled up with Gwh in her arms.
Gwh nestled against her mother, a peaceful smile lingering on her face. When McNeil came up, he found the two of them sleeping, wrapped up together. He quietly closed the door, switching off the light as he left.
The house fell instantly into darkness.
At sunrise, a sliver of light crept across Victoria''s face. She shifted, slowly opening her eyes-only to find herself pressed up against a solid, familiar chest.
Warmth surrounded her, utterly familiar, and for a moment she was startled fully awake.
Above her, she could hear McNeil''s slow, steady breathing. Beside her, Gwh mumbled, "Mommy..."
Victoria realized she was sandwiched between father and daughter, pinned in ce like the cream in a cookie, barely daring to move.
It all came back in a rushst night, she''d taken her daughter back to her room, but Gwh had clung to her neck and refused to let go. Victoria hadn''t even managed to change clothes before she drifted off to sleep, still holding her.
She had no idea when McNeil had slipped in and joined them.
Victoria couldn''t remember thest time McNeil had held her as they slept. As she shifted, McNeil only pulled her closer.
"McNeil, let me go-"
She tried to wriggle free, suddenly self-conscious. They were in the middle of a divorce—wasn''t thispletely inappropriate?
McNeil didn''t even open his eyes. He just drew her closer and mumbled, "It''s still early. Stay a little longer. Just rx..."
He spoke to her as if soothing a child. Victoria felt tears prick at her eyes, but with Gwh pressed close on the other side, she didn''t dare move for fear of waking her daughter.
So shey there, letting the two of them hold her, even as her whole body tensed up.
Eventually, Gwh was the first to wake. She blinked sleepily at Victoria. "Mommy?"
She rubbed her eyes and sat up, then spotted her dad, still wrapped around her mom, her face confused. "Daddy, why are you in my room, sleeping with Mommy?"
Victoria quickly pushed McNeil away and got up.
But McNeil caught her wrist, holding her back. "What''s the rush?"
Victoria pulled free, keeping her distance. She''d only tolerated the contact
because Gwh was there; now, with their daughter watching, she didn''t want to give the wrong impression.
How was she supposed to exin this to Violetter, if Gwh mentioned it?
"It''ste," Victoria said briskly. "Gwyn''s fever''s gone. I need to get to work. Mr. Langford, if you keep this up, aren''t you worried your girlfriend will get the wrong idea?"
McNeil''s expression, so gentle a moment ago, chilled over in an instant. He nodded stiffly. "You''re right. I shouldn''t have stayed."
He threw back the covers and got out of bed. Gwh watched her parents with wide, drowsy eyes, sensing the tension.
"Mommy, Daddy... will you bothe pick me up after school today?"